Saskabilities Awareness Week will be observed August 15 to 21
The importance of the Saskabilities Swift Current Branch to Swift Current and area will be spotlighted during Saskabilities Awareness Week which runs August 15 to 21.
The week was proclaimed as the lone August awareness week in the community by Swift Current City Council during their July 26 meeting.
The highlight of the awareness week will be the second annual Superhero Bowl: Walk, Wheel, Run fundraiser which kicks off on August 14. The inclusive fundraiser invites people to participate in any way they choose while generating support for Saskabilities. Last year’s fundraiser in the midst of the pandemic generated over $50,000, so organizers are hoping to raise $70,000 this year.
“We certainly challenge you all to participate within your families, as council, what have you, and just get out and have fun and get moving,” Candace Toma, Community Relations Coordinator from Saskabilities said at the July 26 meeting.
Online registration is now open at www. abilitybowl.ca, while in person pledge forms can be picked up at the Saskabilities branch at 1551 North Railway St. W. The top 10 individual fundraisers will receive prizes for their efforts.
“This year, we’ve set the bar even higher – thanks to the wonderful support we receive across southwest Saskatchewan, we feel confident that we can raise $70,000 for programs for youth like Summer Fun, our Social Leisure Youth Program, and Camp Easter Seal. We cannot run these programs without the generosity of our community partners, donors, and supporters,” Toma stated.
Kimi Duzan, Regional Director of Saskabilities Swift Current, explained to City Council that Saskabilities is bouncing back nicely now that COVID restrictions are easing. Regular passenger service on the Saskability operated Swift Transit is currently at 85 per cent of where were in first six months of the year compared to 2019. On the accessible transportation service side, usage was at about 45 per cent of what they traditionally serve from January to June. However, Duzan noted these passengers are more vulnerable and have medical issues, so there were fewer opportunities for them to travel earlier in the year.
“They really haven’t been encouraged, or maybe been allowed, to do more. But there’s a nice comeback and I’m seeing growth there month to month,” Duzan said.
She also noted the Recycle Depot during the first six months of 2021 operated at 67 per cent of where they were in 2019. However in recent weeks recycling numbers are on the rise, and they are now resuming with assisting customers who are bringing recycling to the depot, a service which was halted during COVID.
The SARCAN depot is also processing a backlog of recyclable containers which are being returned despite sometime long lines.
Duzan highlighted that Saskabilities programming was impacted by COVID restrictions, but they were actually able to increase participation in
The RCMP are warning cattle producers to be aware of a hay purchasing scam which is occurring across the province.
The Ponteix RCMP Detachment issued a release on the RCMP Saskatchewan Crime Watch Advisory Network advising that several Saskatchewan producers have been the victim of fraud while attempting to purchase hay. Both Saskatchewan RCMP and Livestock Services Saskatchewan are investigating.
The RCMP note that ads placed on social their day program to 73 adults because of rural individuals able to attend their virtually programming. Similarly, their recreation and leisure program reported a jump from 20 to 43 individuals.
During COVID they were able to identify a need for additional supports for individuals in the area of mental health and wellness. They had an opportunity for staff who worked on site during the pandemic to access resources to provide mental health supports and training for them, plus additional supports for clients.
“Where we stepped up and did something I think unique or different has to do with funding that we received that specifically was targeted towards individuals between the ages 18 and 30. Often those that we would encounter at Partners in Employment, job seekers that could really benefit from some support. Brunswick Creek Psychological Services… they were one of the key partners that we partnered with. And over a six
media and other buy/sell platforms have been posted by fraudsters who are requesting immediate payment prior to the buyer seeing the hay or being in a position to take delivery. Several producers sent funds and then learned the seller was a scammer and did not have the hay.
Producers are reminded to ensure they take steps to ensure transactions on-line or over buy/sell platforms are conducted in a safe manner. The best practise is not to send funds until you are in a position to confirm the product/ month period from the beginning of this current year we partnered with organizations - Great Plains College, The Center, The Family Resource Centre, Sask Health - to come together and we were in contact without about 170 young people in that age group that benefited from additional mental health supports.”
They were able to deliver talk therapy sessions along with financial literacy, journaling, art therapy, and more. In total they delivered 48 sessions to 170 people.
items are legitimate and delivery has been established.
Those who have been impacted by this type of scam, or know anyone who has been a victim of this type of scam, are asked to contact their local RCMP detachment or Livestock Services Saskatchewan at 306-546-5086.
If you have information related to this advisory call 310-RCMP for immediate response, or you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).